Reading Your Tyre Sidewall

Check out our helpful guide below which will help you understand the meaning of the symbols on your tyre sidewall.

Reading your Tyre Size

Finding your tyre size is a relatively easy process, once you know how! Just use our simple guide below and enter the results into our website to get some of the cheapest tyres online!

Tyre size information can be found on the sidewall of your tyre, as seen in the image below:

This code is made up of the following 4 key tyre features:

Width - The width of the tyre in millimetres. Profile - Sidewall height a percentage of the tyre width. Rim Size - The diameter of the tyres inner rim in inches. Speed Rating - The maximum recommended speed for the tyre at full load.

What do all the other markings mean?

The markings on tyre walls are there for two reasons:

To indicate the size, specifications and properties of the tyre.

To show that the tyre has passed European safety standards.

1. Tread Wear Indiactors

This diagram shows the location of the tread wear indicators. They can be found in between the main tread grooves and are set at the minimum legal depth of 1.6mm. These features are not on all tyres but they act as a visual warning to indicate wear. They clearly show drivers when the tyre tread has reached the minimum depth and the tyre needs to be replaced.

2. Trademark

This identifies the tyre as being associated to a particular brand and product range.

3. Tread Pattern

The name of the tyre or the tread pattern is indicated on the sidewall so drivers know which product it is they have purchased. With so many tyre tread patterns available, they all need to be easily identifiable.

4. Tyre Section Width

The nominal width of the tyre’s cross-section is measured and displayed in millimetres. This makes up part of the all important Tyre Size

5. Type of Construction

The majority of all modern tyres are of radial construction. Cords in a radial tyre run perpendicular to the direction of travel. They run radially when viewed from the side, which gives the tyre its name.

6. Tyre Load Capacity Index

This is a code that refers to the maximum load the tyre can carry. This is based on the speed indicated by its speed symbol (see below). The below table is used to find load index details for each code.

Load Index

Kilograms

Load Index

Kilograms

Load Index

Kilograms

65

290

80

450

95

690

66

300

81

462

96

710

67

307

82

475

97

730

68

315

83

487

98

750

69

325

84

500

99

775

70

335

85

515

100

800

71

345

86

530

101

825

72

355

87

545

103

850

73

365

88

560

103

875

74

375

89

580

104

900

75

387

90

600

105

925

76

400

91

616

106

950

77

412

92

630

107

975

78

425

93

650

108

1000

79

437

94

670

7. Speed Symbol

The speed symbol is a letter. This indicates the maximum speed at which the tyre can carry the load - this corresponds to the Load Capacity Index (above
The below table can be used to find out specific speed ratings for each symbol.

Speed Symbol

Approx MPH

Approx KM/H

Q

99

160

R

106

170

S

112

180

T

118

190

H

131

210

V

149

240

VR

131

210

W

168

270

Y

186

300

ZR

149

240

8. Hight to Section Ratio

This shows the height of the tyres sidewall as a percentage. This makes up part of the all important Tyre Size

9. Type of Construction

Again indicates the tyre is of Radial Construction.

10. Manufacturers Marking

Commercial brand name and identity.

11. Rim Diameter

This stands for (in inches) the nominal diameter of the wheel rim that the tyre is designed to fit. This makes up part of the all important Tyre Size